Which Shakespeare play would you choose to film in space? Obviously The
Tempest is already spoken for, but what would come next? Chance are that
you might not have put Henry V at the top of the list (though I suppose
there is a Star Wars element to it), but that's what's reportedly in the
works, as The Playlist reports:
 
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/shakespeare_goes_sci-fi_
in_henry5_with_michael_caine_ray_winstone_and_gerar/#

Shakespeare Goes Sci-Fi in "Henry5," With Michael Caine, Ray Winstone
and Gerard Depardieu 

Once More Unto The Breach, Dear Friends... 

Shakespeare and science fiction aren't necessarily the most obvious mix,
but as proven by the 50s classic "Forbidden Planet" (and to a lesser
extent, Godard's post-apocalyptic "King Lear," which refers to the play
more than it adapts it), it can work, and it sounds like someone else is
making an attempt at giving a fantastical twist to a classic play. 

A tweet from Production Weekly alerted us to the existence of "Henry5,"
a sci-fi thriller based on "Henry V," which the trade claimed had an
impressive cast attached, in the form of Michael Caine, Ray Winstone,
Gerard Depardieu and Derek Jacobi, not to mention, somewhat less
impressively, footballer-turned-DTV-action-villain Vinnie Jones. A quick
dig around has revealed that the information is legitimate-the project's
one of several being sold by Darclight Films, the production division of
the Arclight chain, at the American Film Market. 

The company's website reveals that the project will be directed by
Michael Anderson, an experienced DoP-turned-director who's worked on
commercials for Ridley Scott Associates, with a script from Anderson,
Andrew Hislop and Steve Wilkinson that will allegedly incorporate
aspects of "Henry V" and both parts of "Henry IV." Wilkinson's also
producing, alongside another Ridley Scott alum Nigel Wooll, a
co-producer on "G.I. Jane," and Stephen Evans, who was Kenneth Branagh's
producing partner on the seminal 1989 film version of the same play. 

The site also has a teaser poster for the film, and a synopsis: "In an
age of apocalypse, in a land without a leader, a dissolute prince finds
redemption when he crushes a rebellion that threatens to destroy his
father's kingdom. But upon assuming the throne himself, he immediately
engineers a war against a neighboring state to slake his lust for power.
Despite his enemy possessing weaponry rendering their forces almost
invincible, the newly crowned king seizes a glorious victory from the
jaws of defeat by ruthlessness and cunning. But for all his wiles
there's one thing the young monarch has overlooked. Just as he's
prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure victory, so is his enemy..."

Assuming all the actors end up in the project (and pre-sales being a
somewhat woolly field, we'd be surprised if all five names made it
through), we'd imagine that Caine would play Henry IV, Winstone a role
based on Falstaff, and Depardieu the French King. We can only pray that
Vinnie Jones isn't set for the lead role...

On one hand, the idea of an action sci-fi take on the play, however
loosely adapted, sounds a little silly, and the behind-the-scenes talent
is somewhat unproven-but then again, the 1950s version of The Playlist
would have said the same about "Forbidden Planet." There's four great
actors attached, and the film's tagline, "How Will They Justify Why They
Went To War?," suggests a political subtext that'll hopefully prevent it
from seeming too low-rent. It surely can't be as bad as Julie Taymor's
"The Tempest," looks, anyway. We'll see in the coming weeks if the film
picks up enough pre-sales to move forward. 


Luke

****************************************************************
 
Dr Luke McKernan
Lead Curator, Moving Image
Sound & Vision
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
Tel: 020 7412 7442
Fax: 020 7412 7441
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.bl.uk <http://www.bl.uk/> 
Blog: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/movingimage
 
 
 

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